Australia, best experience of my college career Past Review
By Jennifer S (Political Science and Journalism, University of Maine at Orono) for
Griffith University: Brisbane - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I grew so much from studying abroad. I was able to become more independent, and find the direction that I would like to go the rest of my life. It was absolutely the most rewarding experience in my college career.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was definitely manageable. The grading system was a lot more lax than the American system. There wasn't really any homework assignments or other things that the professors absolutely made you do, so it was really up to you to get the work done. Most of my classes had one exam worth about 40% and a paper worth 60%, and that was my final grade. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I did not need assistance a lot, but the one time I did, they were very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The flats on the Nathan campus are very nice and convenient. I lived with 6 Australian, and 1 other international student, and it was a great combination. The Nathan campus is about a 15 minute bus ride from downtown Brisbane, so if you were planning on going out on a weekend you can usually take a bus there, but would have to take a cab back, which would cost about $40. For all international students Griffith housing provides a bag with sheets, towels and blankets which cost around $80. |
| * Food: |
I am a vegetarian and bought all of my food from the grocery store and cooked it at home. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
During orientation week, Griffith offers an international student trip to Byron Bay in New South Wales, which I would highly suggest. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Brisbane. There were occasionally bar fights, or people getting drunk and doing stupid things, but police would be there in a matter of seconds to handle the matter. I never had any health complications while I was abroad. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent A LOT of money. I was there to really experience and travel. For a while the American dollar was worth almost the same as the Australian dollar, and that was difficult. The cost of living is very high, for example a bottle of water is about $3.40. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | N/A |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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